Tony Christie is a well-known musical legend, famous for some great songs like ‘Amarillo’, ‘Las Vegas’ and ‘Don’t Go Down to Reno’. Now at the golden age of 81, the songbird is joining in with Music For Dementia to support those affected by the condition and reflecting on his journey. Even though he was diagnosed with dementia in early 2023 he has an uplifting and positive approach to living well with it. Christie said to the BBC that ‘if you start to worry about it, you’re finished. Ignore it, carry on and do what you do.’
Christie first noticed signs of dementia when he found it difficult to complete a crossword after doing them for over 50 years, but stresses his musical talent and memory have not been affected. He’s now helping those with dementia to find relief from their symptoms through the power of music. Music is a proven way of helping those with dementia to reconnect to old memories and prompt cognitive stimulation. According to Dementia UK, music can be a powerful way to trigger positive feelings and connect with others.
Last year, Christie along with other stars such as Sting and Nile Rodgers, rerecorded the single ‘Thank You for Being a Friend’. The wonderful Tony sang this single at a dementia-friendly event at Lichfield Cathedral. He was also an ambassador for the organisation ‘Music For Dementia’ and is often seen championing the benefits of music to those with dementia. Tony says ‘My doctor told me music is one of the best therapies for anyone with dementia’ and he continues to perform to wide audiences at the age of 81!
Christie’s positive outlook that draws on his own experiences is a great example of how to live well with dementia. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with dementia, there are many resources out there to make the transition a little easier. The NHS, DementiaUK, Alzheimer’s Society and more are there to help diagnose, treat and manage your condition so you can live just like Tony Christie does – to the fullest.
Here at Helping Hands, our staff undertake dementia-specialist training which means they have a thorough understanding of the condition and can adapt our dementia care approach to most benefit you.
